Kite flying, seal watching, hands-on marine education, owl prowls, glass blowing, and fine art classes for beginners will all be waiting for you and your family to discover when you find your perfect home in Newport, RI. Your family will enjoy beaches and water adventures in warmer weather, plus an excellent selection of indoor and outdoor kid friendly activities in Newport when the temperatures begin to fall. You’ll just have to bundle up for the outdoor adventures. You and your family will have a lot of fun in Newport!
Kid Friendly Outdoor Activities
Go Fly a Kite: Kite flying is a wondrous activity for kids of all ages. Brenton Point State Park in Newport is one of the best places to fly kites in Rhode Island. There is an annual kite festival held in the middle of the summer. But you don’t have to wait until summer for kite flying fun with your kids. Bundle everyone up, remember to bring your kites, string, spools, and kite handles (and perhaps a thermos of hot cocoa), and enjoy a windy day the right way at this popular Newport kite flying destination.
Seal Watch Tours: Save the Bay is an independent, member-supported, nonprofit with a clear mission: “to protect and improve Narragansett Bay”. They operate three centers, in Newport, Providence, and Westerly. The organization provides hands-on marine science programs to students from kindergarten through college. Admission to The Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport is $9 and $8 for college students and seniors.
There are three touch tanks and many exhibits at the center with wildlife from Narragansett Bay including turtles, seahorses, lobsters, and dogfish sharks. Colder weather makes the perfect time for a seal watching adventure. The seals like it that way (you’ll need to wear warm clothing). The center offers Newport Seal Tours from December 2022 to April 2023. The price is $22. You and your family will enjoy a tour of historic Newport Harbor and watch the seals on Citing Rock by Rose Island and around Newport Bridge.
Nature Walking with a Guide: The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a short 5 mile drive in neighboring Middletown. You can choose to explore the trails on your own (there are seven miles of trails) or enjoy a guided tour. Daily admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children 3-18 years. If you fall in love with the sanctuary after your first visit, consider joining as a member. Family membership is $65. The membership provides you with trail access and discounts on education, public programs, and camp.
The NBS has various events scheduled throughout the year. There is a free guided nature walk every Wednesday afternoon in November. You and your children can learn to spot wildlife and identify plants. NBS will also be holding Owl Prowls in December. The event begins at dusk as owls set up their nesting territory. After the evening walk participants will gather around a bonfire to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. There is also an upcoming “Story and Stroll” winter series for preschoolers in January 2023.
Kid Friendly Fine Art Classes & Crafts
Glass Blowing: With help from an experienced glass blowing professional, your children can make their very own ornament. The suggested age is 6 years or older. Your child needs to listen to directions, stay in one place and not touch the glass blowing pipes. An ornament is $42 and takes about 10 minutes to make. But you will need to be patient. Glass takes a lot of time to cool properly in a special oven. You won’t be able to take the ornament home for at least two days. Paperweight and vase projects are also for older students to make. Each project is designed as a hands-on beginner experience (with a lot of professional help).
It’s also a lot of fun to watch the glassblowers at work. They are working most weekdays and some weekends. Visitors are welcome to watch through a window in the gallery or from the street.
Art Classes at the Museum: Newport Art Museum has a wide range of educational opportunities including learning art-making skills at the museum. Classes and workshops are available for youth and adults. A five session drawing class, “Drawing Fundamentals” is currently scheduled for November 21st to December 19th, 2022. Materials will include graphite, charcoal, and ink, and is open to all ages (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult). The class is $260 per person. The classes are popular. The upcoming “Evening Wheel Throwing” on Mondays is full as is the “Holiday Clay Workshop”. There might be a spot or two left in the upcoming “Morning Wheel Throwing” on Tuesdays starting in January 2023.
Craft Classes: Cutie Curls is a retail gift boutique featuring works by local artists at 49 Long Wharf Mall in Newport. The boutique also holds crafts classes for children daily. Seashell and nature picture frames are available to decorate for $45 with all the fixings. Once your children have created their masterpieces the shop will glaze the frame and have it ready to pick up in 48 hours.
Cutie Curls has additional craft classes taught by visiting artists and hosts special events. On Saturday, November 26th from 4:00pm-6:00pm there will be a family fun event. “Santa Magic at Long Wharf Mall” will include kid's crafts, music, tree lighting, and a visit with Santa. The film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be shown outside starting at 5:30pm (you will need to bring your own chairs, and blankets and remember to dress warmly).
Indoor Games
Arcade Games: Ryan’s Family Friends Fun operates a number of arcades and bowling alleys in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The Newport location is at 268 Thames Street and features over 50 skill and video games and a prize counter to cash in your game tickets after a day of fun. (please note, bowling is not available at this location)
We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs in Newport and the surrounding areas of Rhode Island. Contact Teri Degnan Real Estate & Consulting today!
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